Sports media icon Ian Hanson OAM has been conferred Life Membership of Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) as part of Annual General Meeting (AGM) proceedings in Sydney.
A stalwart of the media mixed zones having attended ten Games as a journalist, Media Director and media liaison, Hanson was humbled by the acknowledgement and enthusiastic about his experiences with the Australian Commonwealth Games Team.
He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to media, communications, and sport in 2019.
Hanson was first appointed Media Manager for AusTriathlon in 2003, and has since worked closely with the performance program and athletes in the build-up to the 2004 Athens Olympics, 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympics, 2016 Rio Olympics, 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the Road to Paris.
He worked closely with Australia’s triathlon teams as the Media Director for the 2002 Manchester, 2006 Melbourne, and 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, as well as the Media Manager for the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
“To see my name alongside those that have been honoured before me is something that astounds me, it’s a real honour,” Hanson said.
“I’ve had so many magical moments at the Commonwealth Games, things that have stuck in my mind and will continue to do so.
“Times have changed from dictating copy to copy takers as a journalist to my most recent tenure leading the media team in Birmingham, but each experience has made me want to be back at the next Games.
“I believe that my recognition today is acknowledgement for the impact of media folks at the Games, from journalists to media managers, and all that they do to make athletes the heroes we know and love.”
CGA President Ben Houston congratulated Hanson for his service to the Commonwealth Sport Movement in Australia.
“Life membership is only conferred upon those who have contributed in an exemplary way and Hanson is among those that have gone above and beyond for the Commonwealth Games in Australia,” Houston said.